Announcement of Neulbom School Program Survey Results on June 16
Ministry of Education: "32 More Instructors and 47 More Schools Identified"
Neulbom Education Association Representatives Referred for Fraud Investigation
A total of 43 instructors associated with the recently controversial "Reebak School" have taught or are currently teaching at 57 elementary schools participating in the "Neulbom School" program nationwide.
The Ministry of Education announced on June 16 that, as a result of a comprehensive survey of instructors who have taught at Neulbom Schools in elementary schools across the country over the past five years (2021?2025), these figures were confirmed.
To determine the connection between the Neulbom School program and Reebak School instructors, the Ministry of Education required each elementary school to submit a status report on their Neulbom School instructors.
As a result, it was found that 57 schools had hired instructors who had either completed training at institutions related to Reebak School (Reebak School, Korea Neulbom Education Association, Glory Social Cooperative, Korea Education Consulting Research Institute), or at institutions where Son Hyosuk, the head of Reebak School, served as a representative or co-representative (Freedom College Scholarship Foundation, Unam Network), or had obtained one of 31 types of private certifications issued by these organizations, even though the schools had not contracted directly with any of the six institutions.
At these schools, 43 instructors have participated in or are currently participating in Neulbom School programs, teaching students.
Compared to the previously reported scale of 11 instructors dispatched to 10 schools, the number of schools related to Reebak School increased by 47, and the number of instructors increased by 32.
According to the Ministry of Education, the Neulbom School programs led by these instructors included "Let's Play Science," play-based physical education, educational board games, music play, creative art workshops, and picture book creation activities. There were no history-related programs.
The Ministry of Education plans to conduct on-site inspections at the 57 schools, in cooperation with the 17 metropolitan and provincial offices of education, by July, to examine whether there have been any violations of educational neutrality.
In particular, the ministry intends to request a police investigation into the Korea Neulbom Education Association?where the daughter of Director Son serves as the head?on charges such as obstruction of official duties by fraudulent means and fraud.
A Ministry of Education official stated, "Although the Korea Neulbom Education Association has not been approved as an incorporated association, it used the term 'incorporated association' in its name and entered into a memorandum of understanding with Seoul National University of Education." The official added, "The Ministry of Education regards this group as a non-profit voluntary organization and believes it has falsely claimed to be an incorporated association." The official continued, "We are investigating how Seoul National University of Education came to cooperate with the Neulbom Education Association and the appropriateness of its business activities."
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